The future of the SNP

Nicola Sturgeon. Jacquelyn Martin/AP  

 

Scotland's former leader Nicola Sturgeon arrested 

 

Scotland's former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon was arrested on Sunday in connection with the investigation into the funding of the Scottish Nationalist Party (SNP), the police said according to Sky News. 

 

The information about the arrest came at 3:30 p.m. and at 7 p.m. word came that she had been released again. According to the police, no further charges are being brought against her, but the investigation continues.  

 

Sturgeon's husband Peter Murrell was previously arrested in the same investigation but was later released. The investigation concerns how the party spent around £600,000 raised to be used in the campaign for Scottish independence.  

 

Nicola Sturgeon resigned as First Minister and leader of the SNP earlier this year.  

 

Nicola Sturgeon. Thomas Hartwell / AP  

 

Sturgeon: "Shocking - know I'm innocent"  

 

Scotland's former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon denies that she did anything wrong, after she was arrested and questioned by the police on Saturday and then released.  

 

In a statement on Facebook, she writes that the experience was "shocking and extremely painful".  

 

She writes that since it is an ongoing investigation, she cannot go into details. "But I want to say this in the strongest possible terms: To be considered innocent is not only my right under the law. I also know beyond a shadow of a doubt that I have done nothing wrong," writes Sturgeon.  

 

The arrest is part of an investigation into how Sturgeon's party handled around £600,000 in collected funds.

Nicola Sturgeon. Russell Cheyne/AP  

 

The future of the SNP  

Analysis: A bomb impact that sends shock waves  

 

The fact that Scotland's former Prime Minister Nicola Sturgeon was arrested by the police on Sunday and questioned is a "bombshell" that was unthinkable just a few months ago. That's what Sky News' Connor Gillies writes in an analysis.  

 

He writes that there has certainly been speculation about whether Sturgeon would not be arrested sooner or later considering that the same thing has already affected two other heavy names within the party leadership, including her husband.  

 

"But even so, it's incredible to see this unfold before our eyes," writes Gillies.  

 

Even The Telegraph's Alan Cochrane underlines how dramatic Sunday's turn of events is.  

 

"This is sending shockwaves through the Scottish political establishment," he writes.  

 

The BBC's Stuart Nicolson writes that although Sturgeon was released after the questioning, the investigation continues. This means that it is difficult to discuss the case because politicians, the public and journalists must all avoid pre-empting a possible trial. 

 

"The rules about what you can and cannot say about this case - and all others - are interpreted much more strictly in Scotland than in many other parts of the world," he writes.